Mourinho had revealed earlier this season that he would tailor the 35-year-old's playing and training time to ensure he kept up his fitness and had scheduled some downtime away from United's training complex for him throughout the season.

But the striker has already given up one holiday. Ibrahimovic chose to forgo his rest period to travel to Northampton's Sixfields Stadium last month for United's EFL Cup tie.

Asked if Ibrahimovic, who was pictured last week during the international break working out in a gym, was a leader, Mourinho said: “I don't know whether leader is the right word or not but I know he is an example for sure. He is fantastic.”